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Ian Bell, Graeme Swann and Mark Butcher go through the talent pool to pick two separate squads each

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Jun-2020In the era of Covid-19, the cricket calendar will need be redrawn and there will be a crush to fit in all the fixtures that were deferred. It has even been suggested that two formats could be played at the same time. While that may not actually happen, it throws up some intriguing selection questions.How would the three best-resourced sides in the world – England, India and Australia – fare in having two teams play at the same time in a Test and T20I?England: With the height of the summer already approaching, the onus for England is to fulfil as many of their international fixtures as possible to offset a massive potential financial shortfall. To that end, Ashley Giles, the team’s managing director, hinted strongly last week that two separate squads will be the route they take to maintain the biosecure “bubbles” that the ECB is seeking to create within its chosen venues. An initial training pool of 55 players has been selected, and while several of the key names are already one-format picks, some tricky decisions need to be made about the biggest stars. Former England batsmen Ian Bell and Mark Butcher, and offspinner Graeme Swann are our selectors.ESPNcricinfo LtdIan Bell: With a T20 World Cup on the horizon – well, hopefully, anyway – I’d make that format a priority. And I’d want bowlers – people like Jofra Archer, who, I think, would do really well on Australian surfaces. For the same reason, I’d want Buttler and Jonny Bairstow in the T20 side, which brings an opportunity for Ben Foakes in the Test team. He may well be the best keeper in the country and this would be a great opportunity to see a bit more of him at that level. In English conditions, you want Stuart Broad and James Anderson in your Test side. But I would like a point-of-difference bowler in the attack – someone with a bit more pace – so I’d play either Mark Wood or Olly Stone as the quick bowler and maybe rotate Anderson with Chris Woakes as required. I also see Stone as the type of bowler who could be really valuable in an Ashes series in Australia, so I’d like to see him given more opportunity in Test cricket.ESPNcricinfo LtdMark Butcher: Big call as to which team for Stokes, obviously. Think his impact for the Test team is gigantic – he’s able to shape it for longer. Picking Archer in the T20I team was more about Wood’s relative lack of success in the limited-overs arena, though Wood’s recent Test performances have been outstanding. Tom Abell might seem a little left field, but I’ve seen enough of him to take a punt that he is a special player – great mind under pressure. I could have gone for [Alex] Hales or [James] Vince, but decided to go for a clean slate. Both Bairstow and Buttler are irreplaceable in the T20I XI, giving Foakes a clear run at the Test job. No Anderson is perhaps the biggest upset and I’ll gladly have him prove me wrong and play until he’s 40!ESPNcricinfo LtdGraeme Swann: Jos Buttler has never dismantled an attack in Test cricket. He was supposedly picked to turn games from dire situations and revolutionise the way we play, but it has never materialised. He is the one-day king and always looks more comfortable slaying a white ball rather than prodding a red one. Ben Foakes is the best keeper in the country for me, and I’m a purist, so he has to play in the Tests. Alex Hales has served his time. He’s beyond brilliant on his day and easily merits a place back in the one-day side for me. He needs to show huge remorse and humility on a private level to rebuild his relationship with Morgs. The skipper won the World Cup. What he says goes. He could demand the team all wear moustaches and they’d all turn out looking like Dennis Lillee by the end of the day. The sooner their relationship is patched up, the better for Hales and England!

Tottenham Hotspur will be expected to be fighting for Europe once again next season, with Thomas Frank the man who’s been tasked with taking the side back up the table.

The Dane was appointed as the Lilywhites’ new boss last month after owner Daniel Levy decided to fork out £10m to prise him out of his contract at Brentford.

He’s showcased in the Premier League that he’s capable of overachieving, helping the Bees register a top-half finish despite losing top scorer Ivan Toney last summer.

He will likely have much bigger funds to spend after taking the reins in North London, needing to make the changes he desires if he is to be a success in the role.

Frank has already wasted no time in identifying key options to help him in his quest at the club, already edging ever closer to landing his first signing since replacing Ange Postecoglou.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Mohammed Kudus has been a player of huge interest in recent weeks and a deal for the West Ham United star was officially confirmed by the club on Thursday evening.

£55m appears to be the golden number between the two clubs, with the Ghanaian now arriving as Frank’s first addition this summer.

However, other moves have also been made in recent days, with Morgan Gibbs-White set to put pen to paper after the Lilywhites activated his £60m release clause at Nottingham Forest.

Another Premier League star could be inbound too, with Yoane Wissa potentially following Frank to Spurs, according to BBC Sport.

They claim that talks have been held over a deal to land the Congolese international striker, who managed to score 19 times in his 35 league appearances last campaign.

The report also states that the player himself is extremely keen on a move to link up with his former boss, but they are demanding a fee in the region of £50m to part ways with the 28-year-old this summer.

Why Spurs’ £50m target would be the dream CF for Kudus

Soon-to-be Spurs star Kudus is a player who will undoubtedly bring excitement to the fanbase in North London, given his spell in England with West Ham.

The 24-year-old has registered 19 goals over the last two years since his move from Ajax, often catching the eye with his mazy runs and incredible solo efforts.

He’s often scored numerous times after dribbling past the opposition effortlessly, but arguably his best strike was his bicycle kick against Manchester City in the 2023/24 campaign.

His pending move to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium would be a big-money one, no doubt, but one that would be worth every penny if he can replicate his form from the London Stadium.

Kudus could also link up with Wissa if he also completes a move, with the pair having the prospect of helping the Lilywhites rise up the Premier League table in 2025/26.

The Brentford star, who’s been labelled “remarkable” by journalist Zach Lowy, managed to score four goals with his head last campaign, something which could fall perfectly into the Ghanaian’s hands given his cross success rate of 26% last season.

Wissa also managed to register 1.3 shots on target per 90, able to link up with the £55m addition next season, especially considering his tally of 1.2 chances created per 90.

Games played

35

Goals scored

19

Shots on target per 90

1.3

Aerials won

46%

Pass accuracy

80%

Touches in opposition box

5.2

Fouls won

1.6

The Congolese star has further impressed by winning 46% of the aerials he’s entered, a superb record considering he’s not the tallest of players, standing at just 5”9.

Whilst it may be an expensive addition at around £50m this summer, it’s evident that Wissa would be a phenomenal addition given his previous spell in England’s top-flight.

The prospect of the Brentford talent linking up with Kudus in North London is one for the fanbase to get excited about, with the club potentially possessing two of the division’s leading talents going into 2025/26.

A better signing than Eze: Spurs set to make bid for "magical" £20m star

Tottenham Hotspur appear to have ended their pursuit of Eberechi Eze with a move for another talented star.

ByEthan Lamb Jul 10, 2025

2025 has been the year of the returning hero at Celtic Park so far.

Kieran Tierney has returned to Celtic, six years after departing, following in the footsteps of Jota, who re-joined the Hoops during the January transfer window.

So now, could Brendan Rodgers, who is no stranger to a Glasgow return himself, be re-united with a star he once labelled one of Europe’s best young players?

The reaction to Kieran Tierney's Celtic return

After completing his return to his boyhood club last week, Tierney said it “feels amazing” to be back, adding “my ambition is just for Celtic to be as successful as possible”.

Rodgers too exclaimed that he’s “delighted” to add a “talented and high-quality” player to his squad, while Tierney is unquestionably a fans’ favourite in Glasgow’s East End, having come through the academy to make 170 appearances for the club during his first spell, winning 11 major trophies.

So, while there is major excitement about seeing the left-back bedecked in green and white hoops once again, could an even bigger talent also be back later this summer?

Celtic's search for a new striker

Tierney’s return to Parkhead this summer has been met with glee, but when has a left-back ever been more exciting than a new striker? Arguably never.

The Scot has the potential to come back and be a roaring success down the left channels, carving out goalscoring opportunities at will for teammates, but who will be on the end of his teasing balls into the box? Well, another Celtic return could be on the cards and it’s more eye-catching than Tierney.

Indeed, as noted by Ryan McDonald of the Daily Record, Celtic could re-sign striker Odsonne Édouard this summer, with ex-Celtic midfielder Scott Allan believing the club shouldn’t think twice if they are able to add a “fantastic player” to their ranks.

The striker initially arrived at Parkhead on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, scoring on his debut against Hamilton Academical at New Douglas Park, before his move was made permanent the following summer, costing a then-club-record £9m.

In total, Édouard scored 87 goals in 179 appearances for the Celts, numbers that are comparable with the club’s other great centre-forwards of modern times.

Kyōgo

165

85

126

Giakoumakis

57

26

97

Édouard

179

87

140

Dembélé

94

51

120

Griffiths

262

123

118

Hooper

138

82

136

The numbers above rubberstamp why he was more exciting than Tierney in green and white, with only Leigh Griffiths having scored more goals for Celtic since Henrik Larsson’s departure in 2004, with the Scotland international doing so in 83 more appearances.

Édouard ultimately departed for Crystal Palace in August 2021, costing around £18.5m, scoring 21 times for the Eagles, including bagging a memorable double on his debut against Tottenham, but his career has gone off the rails in the last year or so.

Not in Oliver Glasner’s pre-season plans, the Frenchman joined Leicester City on a season-long loan last summer, but this has to go down as one of the most disastrous loan spells of all time, now valued at just £7m by Transfermarkt.

Appearances

6

Minutes

113

Starts

1

Matches an unused sub

3

Matched not in the squad

31

Total matches

40

Édouard was completely frozen out by both Steve Cooper and Ruud van Nistelrooy at Leicester, most recently a substitute on Boxing Day, his last appearance coming on 10 November, while his one and only start for the club came in the Carabao Cup at Walsall in September.

As outlined by John Percy of the Telegraph, having featured for both Palace and Leicester in 2024/25, FIFA regulations stipulate that he was unable to represent a third club in the same season.

Thus, Édouard remained stranded in the proverbial wilderness from January onwards, despite the fact the Foxes broke all sorts of records when it came to not scoring, most notably losing eight successive Premier League home games to nil, an unprecedentedly miserable run.

Nevertheless, still 27 years old, the striker certainly still has plenty to offer.

When Édouard signed permanently for Celtic in the first place, Rodgers labelled him one of European football’s “elite young talents”. While he may not still be too young, he still has elite potential, particularly if it took him to Scotland again.

Still searching for a Kyōgo Furuhashi replacement, if the Frenchman becomes available at a cut-price, this would surely be a no-brainer.

More exciting than Tierney: Celtic expected to complete "no-brainer" deal

Celtic are expected to seal the signing of a star who would be more exciting than Kieran Tierney.

1 ByDan Emery Jun 14, 2025

Leeds United have showcased in their previous stint in the Premier League that they are capable of thriving and causing upsets – but more importantly, avoiding relegation back to the Championship.

The Whites spent three seasons in the top-flight between 2020 and 2023, registering a ninth-place finish in their first year back in such a division after a 16-year absence.

Such a spell saw striker Patrick Bamford enjoy the best run of his career, netting 17 goals in the league, subsequently earning his first call-up to the England national team.

However, it’s highly unlikely the 31-year-old will make the same impact under Daniel Farke this time around, after failing to net a single goal across all competitions in 2024/25.

The club will need added reinforcements within the final third if they are to be a success and avoid relegation and suffer an immediate return to England’s second tier.

The latest on Leeds’ hunt for a new striker

With the new season already less than two months away, it’s pivotal that Leeds identify the right players to help bolster their ranks and have the best chance of survival.

Josh Sargent is a name that has entered the mix over the last couple of days, with the American international potentially costing around £17m after his record of 15 goals in 32 appearances this season.

However, he’s not alone on their shortlist, with Fulham talisman Rodrigo Muniz also in their sights, that’s if Football Insider’s latest update is to be believed.

They claim that Farke’s side are preparing an opening offer for the Brazilian international, who registered eight goals in his 31 league appearances – only eight of which came from the start.

It also states that the 24-year-old is seen as an excellent option for the Whites this summer after his experience in the Premier League, but it’s unclear how much the Cottagers would demand for his signature.

Why Leeds’ latest target would be a better signing than Beto

In their attempts to bolster the attacking department this summer, numerous players have been mentioned as a potential option, with Everton’s Beto another player on their list.

Over the last couple of days, it was confirmed that the Whites still held a keen interest in the Guinea-Bissau talisman, who cost £30m back in the summer of 2023.

It remains unclear if David Moyes’ side would be willing to part ways with the 27-year-old forward, but Farke’s side are willing to pursue a move for his signature.

Like Muniz, he has the experience in England’s top flight that the hierarchy are looking for during the off-season, but it’s safe to say they should look past a move for the former Udinese star.

When comparing his figures from 2024/25 to those of the Fulham ace, he’s been outperformed in numerous key areas, with the Brazilian the man the hierarchy must pursue this summer.

Muniz, who’s been labelled “one of the best strikers in the Premier League” by teammate Willian Borges, has registered the same number of goals, but has managed a better minute per goal ratio – highlighting his clinical edge in attacking areas.

He’s also completed more passes and registered more passes into the final third, handing the opportunity for other attackers around him to bolster their own tallies.

Games played

31

30

Goals scored

8

8

Minutes per goal

120

191

Shot on target accuracy

49%

46%

Pass accuracy

65%

58%

Passes into the final third

1.2

0.4

Aerials won

52%

48%

Fouls drawn

2.9

1.3

The Brazilian’s dominance doesn’t end there, winning more aerial duels and drawing more fouls, offering Farke an all-round option within the final third in their attempts to secure survival.

Given their hunt for a new talisman, it’s crucial that the hierarchy land the right player to give themselves the best possible chance of retaining their top-flight status.

Big money will likely be splashed given how expensive players in the Premier League have become, with a move for Muniz needing to be the priority in the coming weeks.

The new Phillips: Leeds want to sign £15m star with "undeniable" potential

Leeds United are reportedly keen on a star who would be Daniel Farke’s own Kalvin Phillips.

ByDan Emery Jun 9, 2025

If you’re looking for some plus-money player props tonight, look no further. The Astros-Giants game has a couple of hot players to watch tonight at Minute Maid Park.

I’ve got some fun trends for you today,,,

Astros rookie Hunter Brown has started seven major-league games and appeared in 12 across the past two seasons for Houston. He has five wins in 50⅔ innings of work with a strikeout rate of 9.49 batters per nine innings. His ERA was 0.89 last season and it’s 2.37 this year. But, that’s still not what’s most impressive. Listen to this:

Yes, you read that correctly. Brown has not given up a long ball in any of his 50⅔ innings of work.

The Giants have the third-most home runs in the league this season (48) with 60.5% of their runs scored coming from the home run. That’s the most in MLB.

Always under the radar in Bangladesh because his style of play isn’t as flashy as some of the others’, the opener has arrived in international cricket with the potential to go big

Mohammad Isam in Dhaka30-Nov-2018It had only been a few hours since Shadman Islam had made 73 against the West Indians in the practice game. But the news was already out. He had made the Bangladesh Test side. It was the final confirmation that the coach Steve Rhodes and selectors Minhajul Abedin and Habibul Bashar believed in his ability. He would be the back-up opener.Soumya Sarkar failed in the first Test in Chattogram. So did Imrul Kayes, who then picked up shoulder and toe injuries as well. Bangladesh needed a new opener and Shadman was there. The eighth debutant in a year when they have played only eight Tests.The onus was on the 23-year-old to make the most of his chance. Although he was the top-scorer of the Under-19 World Cup in 2014, some of his peers from that tournament – Imam-ul-Haq, Aiden Markram, Kusal Mendis, Liton Das – had overtaken him onto the international stage. He needed to catch up.Shadman certainly looked the part on his first day as a Test cricketer, going to lunch on 36 not out, with three sweetly-timed fours. More than that, he had batted without being overwhelmed by the fact that he was facing an attack that had caused several Bangladesh batting collapses in the recent past.Shadman struck three more fours in the post-lunch session, one of which brought up his half-century, and by the time he was finally dismissed, he had played 199 deliveries, the most for any Bangladesh debutant in the last 15 years.”It felt good,” Shadman said. “Everyone has a dream to play for their country. I tried to give my best for the team, and although I couldn’t fulfill expectations, I will try to do it in the future.”There’s no real regret [of not reaching a century]. I think everyone wants a century on debut. I tried to bat the way it was best for the team. I couldn’t finish the day properly. I felt I should have been around for longer.”Shadman is an old-fashioned opener. He has made most of his 3023 first-class runs by concentrating on his defence. And that is what he did against West Indies as well.”I didn’t think much more than trying to play to the merit of the ball, like the way I have played in domestic cricket,” he said. “I think the practice match helped me. I got an idea about their bowlers. My plan for the practice match also worked here. [My senior team-mates] are more experienced than me, so they kept telling me that I should do only what I do best, like I bat in domestic cricket. They told me to not try anything extra. You have trusted your natural game, so stay that way.”Shadman became a contender for higher honours in 2014-15, when he accumulated 1,323 runs at 55.12 in both four-day and one-day cricket. He’s had a good time in recent Dhaka Premier League seasons as well, averaging 47.00 in 2017 and 46.20 in 2018, and his chart-topping numbers – 680 runs at 64.80 – in the ongoing National Cricket League made sure he couldn’t be ignored by the national selectors anymore.Ironically enough, the reason behind his success is also the reason behind his taking so long to come to prominence. His steady approach to run-making goes under the radar when compared to some of the other, flashier talents in Bangladesh. But now that he has made good of his first opportunity at the highest level, Shadman certainly has the potential to catch up with the Under-19 class of 2014. His father – Shahidul, who has been a longtime talent scout for the BCB – made sure of that.”My father definitely has an influence in my life. When I was a kid, used to take me to all the U-15 and U-17 camps. I tried to prepare myself in academy and school cricket like my father guided me.”He supported my cricket a lot. He still tells me how to play, how to set my life as a cricketer. I try to keep myself that way.”Shadman could have easily sulked over his lack of opportunities. He could have been lost in Bangladesh’s rapidly shifting domestic cricket system. But he seems to possess patience, a very important characteristic for a cricketer, especially for one in this part of the world.

Trent Rockets captain also explains decision to retire Imad Wasim out during defeat to Birmingham Phoenix

Matt Roller13-Aug-2024Lewis Gregory, the Trent Rockets captain, believes that indifferent pitches are the root cause of the drop-off in scores in the men’s Hundred this season. The average first-innings total has slumped from 155 last summer to 133 this year, while after 14 scores of 170-plus in 2023 there has only been one so far in 2024.Several players have blamed the ball, which deviates more than the standard-issue white Kookaburra on account of the extra lacquer required for the Hundred’s branding. But the balls have exactly the same specifications as last season, and Gregory believes that “tired” pitches are to blame for the low-scoring games across the country.”I don’t think the surfaces have been particularly great across the board,” he said. “These balls do seem to swing a fraction more than the normal white Kookaburras that we use in the Blast. I just think the combination of that and some tired pitches at the back end of an English season has made it quite difficult for free-flowing striking.”Rockets were bowled out for 118 by Birmingham Phoenix at Edgbaston on Monday night, a result which saw them eliminated at the group stages. They struggled against the substantial new-ball movement which has been a theme of the Hundred this year, slipping to 22 for 4 after 30 balls with Tim Southee and Chris Wood taking early wickets.The balls used in the Hundred have been criticised by a number of players•PA Images via Getty Images

“You’re seeing the ball get off straight a lot, which obviously makes it difficult to whack out of the park when the ball is moving around,” Gregory said. “There’s a lot of cricket throughout the English summer and [we are] coming towards the back end. There are a few tired wickets that bring spinners into the game, and then there’s a few wickets that have done a lot for the seamers.”The Hundred is being staged at the same eight venues as in previous summers, but the UK has experienced an unusually high level of rainfall this year, contributing to groundstaff’s challenges. “I’m not quite sure what the cause is, but in the past we’ve played on some better surfaces than we have this year,” Gregory said.The average first-innings score in the women’s Hundred has hardly changed from last year: 133 in 2023 to 130 in 2024. Some pundits have suggested that the women’s game has benefitted from groundstaff leaving more grass on pitches this season.

Why Rockets retired Imad out

During Monday’s loss, Rockets became the fourth team this season to retire a batter out, sending Chris Green in to replace Imad Wasim with 14 balls left in order to target a short leg-side boundary against Dan Mousley’s offspin. Imad had just faced three successive dot balls to reach 29 off 29 balls, but Rockets collapsed to be bowled out off the final ball of the innings.”We spoke about [retiring Imad out] for the last 20 balls, with having a right-hander to [hit towards] the short side, and the two balls before that he hit for four, so we thought we’d give him another five balls,” Gregory explained. “It was about trying to get a right-left [combination] in with obviously a shorter side.”Imad did a brilliant job for us in tricky circumstances, coming in early [at 22 for 4]. He had a great partnership with Tom Alsop and we just tried to get Chris Green in, who in the first game went and got 25 off 7, so [we were] hoping that he could reproduce that… whether that was the right decision or wrong decision, we don’t know.”Related

• That was the Hundred that was, as tough season finds an adequate climax

• Northern Superchargers thrash London Spirit to keep knockout hopes alive

• Anderson considering T20 franchise circuit after Test retirement

• Southee knocks Rockets out as Phoenix stay in race

• ECB pull Woakes out of Hundred after Stokes' hamstring injury

Imad joined Sam Billings, Wayne Madsen and Kathryn Bryce in retiring out tactically in the Hundred this year, and Gregory expects the ploy to become increasingly common: “We’ve spoken about it throughout the competition and everyone’s been happy, if there’s a case to retire someone, everyone’s comfortable with that. We pulled the trigger on that last night.”The shorter the format, you will see it a bit more… there’s not much time, and if you think someone’s not quite got the surface or the opposite down, it is giving someone else an opportunity to be able to do that. I don’t think you’ll see stacks of it, I just think you’re trying to create small margins that might help you.”It doesn’t always work. It’s one of those. I think guys now are realising if they’re struggling, or there’s an opportunity for someone else to come in that can potentially smack them out of the park, then I think guys are comfortable with that.”KP Snacks, the Official Team Partner of The Hundred, is continuing its initiative to build 100 new community cricket pitches across England and Wales, with 35 brand new pitches going down in 2024. To find out more and search for your nearest pitch, click here.

da aposte e ganhe： Chelsea are set for a huge end to the 2024/25 season. They are within touching distance of a European final, currently leading Swedish side Djurgarden 4-1 on aggregate. Given the tie is at Stamford Bridge, they go into it as strong favourites.

da dobrowin： On top of that, Enzo Maresca’s side are pushing for a top-five finish in the Premier League. Sunday’s 3-1 thrashing of newly-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool was a huge win in that sense.

Then, of course, the Blues are participants in the Club World Cup, where they will face Mexican side Club Leon in their first group game.

With the transfer window opening earlier to accommodate that tournament, the West Londoners could be looking to add to their squad in the coming weeks.

Chelsea target Premier League attacker

There are no lack of options for Maresca in wide areas. So, it might be a surprise that the Blues are looking to add new wingers to their squad.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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Yet, rumours linking them to Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho do not seem to go away.

Now, according to a recent report from Football Insider, Chelsea are thought to be ‘plotting a new move to sign’ the 20-year-old. The Red Devils are ‘open to letting him leave’ this summer, given they need to raise transfer funds of their own.

However, the Argentina international will not come cheap for Chelsea. According to a recent report from The Daily Star, United are likely to ask for a fee as high as £65m from the West Londoners.

Given the Blues have already tried, and failed, to sign Garnacho last January, it seems like they could well meet that demand.

How Garnacho compares to Noni Madueke

It has been a fairly bleak campaign in 2024/25 for United. However, Garnacho has definitely been a bright spark at times. Despite a lull in form around Christmas, he has really picked up again in recent weeks.

This term, the young attacker has managed 11 goals and ten assists across all competitions in 54 appearances. He has scored six times and provided two in the Premier League, having played 34 games in the top flight.

Impressively, there are only seven players under the age of 21 with ten or more goals and ten or more assists this season. That list includes Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham and Garnacho. His most recent strike came against Brentford, a sublime long-range effort in a 4-3 loss.

Perhaps Garnacho can have a similar impact at Stamford Bridge as Noni Madueke has made this term. The former PSV Eindhoven star has also been in electric form this term, and has managed to chalk up 11 goals and five assists in all competitions.

Former Bues player Jason Cundy was full of praise for Madueke recently, after his goal against Djurgarden in the 4-1 Conference League thrashing.

The defender-turned-pundit explained that, as a defender, you know that “when he goes past you, he stays past you”, suggesting he is hard to keep quiet.

Interestingly, there can be statistical comparisons drawn, courtesy of FBref, between United’s number 17, Garnacho, and Chelsea man Madueke.

For example, Garnacho averages 0.21 goals per shot on target and 1.47 key passes per 90 minutes. In comparison, Madueke averages 0.23 goals per shot on target and 1.49 key passes each game.

Garnacho & Madueke key stats compared

Stat (per 90)

Garnacho

Madueke

Goals per shot on target

0.21

0.23

Key passes

1.47

1.49

Shot-creating actions

3.4

3.77

Progressive carries

5.84

7.06

Ball recoveries

4.54

3.58

Stats from FBref

There are certainly similarities between Garnacho and Madueke, and they could both play together, given they favour opposite flanks. If the Argentine star can have anyhwere close to the impact the English winger has made at Stamford Bridge, it will have been a successful signing.

Although £65m is a steep fee, Garnacho is a “special talent” according to football statistician Statman Dave, and Chelsea might not want to miss out on this market opportunity.

Related He could be the new Robben: Chelsea plan big offer for "deadly" £51m star

Chelsea are looking to strenghten in attack

Posts ByJoe Nuttall May 6, 2025

تحدث الكرواتي كرونسلاف يورتشيتش، المدير الفني لفريق بيراميدز، عن مواجهة الغد أمام الأهلي السعودي، المقرر لها ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس الإنتركونتيننتال، مؤكداً سعادته بالمستوى الذي وصل إليه فريقه.

ومن المقرر أن يلتقي بيراميدز مع الأهلي السعودي، مساء غد الثلاثاء في تمام التاسعة مساءً، على ملعب الإنماء (الجوهرة المشعة) بمدينة جدة.

وقال كرونسلاف يورتشيتش في تصريحات خلال المؤتمر الصحفي: “بالطبع لم يكن أحد يتوقع يوما لنادي بيراميدز أن يحقق دوري الأبطال في هذه المدة واللعب في كأس العالم والإنتركونتننتال، ولكن الحلم أصبح واقعًا والآن نحن نلعب في هذا المستوى ولدينا فرصة للوصول إلى نقطة أبعد”.

طالع أيضاً.. فيفا يُعلن حكم مباراة بيراميدز والأهلي السعودي في كأس إنتركونتيننتال

وتابع: “طالبت اللاعبين بضرورة إظهار قوتهم في مواجهة خصم قوي أمام جماهيره ولابد من إظهار الشغف والقتال من أجل الفوز والوصول إلى مرحلة اللعب في قطر وإضافة إنجاز جديد وبطولة هامة في تاريخ نادي بيراميدز وكرة القدم المصرية”.

وأوضح: “نادي الأهلي سبق لي اللعب أمامه عندما كنت مدربا للنصر السعودي وحاليا هو فريق قوي للغاية ويمتلك لاعبين رائعين ومدرب رائع وجماهير ضخمة، وبالفعل شاهدت آخر مباراتين في دوري أبطال آسيا والدوري السعودي وأظهروا قوة كبيرة ورد فعل قوي ولكن في النهاية أنا أثق بشدة في لاعبي بيراميدز وقدرتهم على الفوز”.

وحول فارق الإمكانيات المالية بين بيراميدز والأهلي السعودي قال: “المال مهم بالفعل في كرة القدم ولكنه ليس أهم شيء، وفي النهاية الملعب هو الفيصل في حسم المباريات”.

واختتم: “بيراميدز بالفعل يعاني من بعض الغيابات في صفوفه ولكن في النهاية المجموعة جاهزة وأنا أثق فيهم بشدة، وأهنئ في النهاية الشعب السعودي بيوم المملكة السعودية الذي يتوافق مع نفس يوم اللقاء”.

Chelsea have a big summer ahead of them to build on the impressive work done this season during Enzo Maresca’s first year in charge at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian has set the side up for potential success first season, still sitting in an excellent position to claim Champions League football, whilst also in pole position to win the Europa Conference League.

However, the main aim for the 45-year-old and the hierarchy will certainly be to battle for the Premier League title next year, with Estevao Willian already set to move to the club this summer.

He will also be joined by Dario Essugo, who is moving to West London after the hierarchy agreed a deal for his services with Sporting CP earlier this month.

The 20-year-old will need time to settle given his tender age, but the transition could be made easier by 2026, with another one of his current teammates linking up with him 12 months after his move.

Chelsea’s deal to land Geovany Quenda from Sporting CP

It was confirmed this month that Chelsea had agreed a £42m deal with the Liga Portugal outfit for 17-year-old wonderkid Geovany Quenda to move to the club ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

The Portuguese star has been a man in demand after his tremendous breakthrough season, with Ruben Amorim previously interested in taking the teenager with him to Manchester.

However, the Blues jumped ahead of them in the race for his signature, agreeing a seven-year deal for his services with an option for a further year down the line.

Quenda, who can play as a wing-back or winger on either flank, has registered two goals and six assists in all competitions throughout this year – simply incredible figures for such a young talent.

However, he will have a lot of expectations on his shoulders upon his move to the Bridge given the fee, but the club may have been better off keeping hold of one former player who’s outperformed him this campaign.

The former Chelsea star who’s outperformed Quenda in 2024/25

As a result of the heavy spending during the Todd Boehly era, some brutal calls have had to be made to allow players to depart Chelsea to balance the books and avoid any punishments from the Premier League.

The Blues have sold nearly £500m worth of talent over the last three years, many of which have been phenomenal pieces of business – with the players unable to justify their hefty fees elsewhere.

However, one sale they may regret is that of full-back Lewis Hall, who departed his boyhood club for £35m in the summer, joining Newcastle United on a permanent basis after spending the previous year on loan on Tyneside.

The 20-year-old only made 12 first-team appearances for the Blues but has taken his career to the next level this season with valuable minutes under Eddie Howe’s guidance.

Hall, who’s been dubbed “superb” by journalist Thomas Hammond, has featured in 27 Premier League outings this season, with an ankle injury prematurely ending his first permanent year in the North East.

When comparing his figures to those of Quenda in 2024/25, the Englishman has outperformed him in numerous areas, showing the mistake the club made in allowing him to depart on a permanent basis.

The Chelsea academy graduate has won more tackles per 90, whilst also making more blocks per game – showcasing the defensive qualities he possesses in the wing-back role.

He’s also managed to complete more crosses and achieve a higher take-on success rate this season, outclassing Quenda in attacking areas despite his defensive position.

There’s no denying that Quenda will develop over time given his tender age, having the potential to transform into a top-level star under the guidance of Maresca.

However, as seen above, it’s evident that Hall is currently a bigger talent, having the skill set to play a key role in the current first-team, but their loss is Newcastle’s gain – making a huge mistake in parting ways with him given his rise in recent months.

Chelsea sold "sensational" ace for £5m, now he's a bigger star than James

Chelsea may regret offloading a player who’s managed to take his career to the next level after leaving.

By
Ethan Lamb

Mar 25, 2025